Author(s)

J.H. Negrao, L.M.C. Simoes

Abstract

Box-girder cross-sections are characterized by large torsional stiffness when compared with alternative solutions. This is a fundamental issue as the bridge span increases. Transverse winds may lead to critical stress conditions or cause a number of aerodynamic instability phenomena, which are related to the torsional stiffness of the deck. Moreover, in single-plane stayed bridges, the use of box- girder decks is dictated by equilibrium requirements. The definition of the cross-section may be rather complex. There are a large number of parameters involved, load combinations, critical stress locations and the dependence of the wind loading or seismic response on the geometric and stiffness characteristics of the deck. Mathematical programming techniques may thus be val

Keywords